Pages

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Meyer Lemon & Blackberry Surprise Muffins

I love Meyer lemons, I can't get enough of them. I've been fully engulfed by S.A.D. this week, and isn't that the perfect acronym for it. I'm pretty sure Californians are fueled by the sun and when we go days on end without it; things just get a little rough. Nonetheless, I'm still thankful we aren't knee deep in snow. Or I'd probably be like a bear, curled up in a ball hibernating somewhere.

I really wanted to put a little sunshine back in my life. What's more perfect than Meyer lemons for the job. Meyer lemons have a stronger perfume and sweeter taste, let's just hail them the Queen of lemons and a regular lemon - would just be a Princess or something. You are going to have to trust me on this one, because you know full well by now I'm not about to explain the scientific breakdown of them; you would be on the wrong blog for sure.

When I was little my mom always made surprise muffins for us, they were a simple muffin with jelly in the middle. I was hoping by recreating these in my favorite flavor, maybe it would bring a little sunshine back into to my life. I love leaving a bowl of these on the counter, waltzing by and smelling them as if they were perfume.

Meyer Lemon Muffins

2 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cups granulated sugar

1 tbsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup vegetable oil or butter, melted

Zest and juice from 2 Meyer lemons

2 large eggs

1 cup milk

Blackberry jam

12 blackberries (optional, but extra yummy)

In a large mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir to combine. In another bowl add oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, eggs, and milk, stir together and add to dry ingredients. Mix well.

Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. Fill half way with lemon batter and then add a teaspoon full of blackberry jam and a whole blackberry.

Then cover with rest of lemon batter, until cupcakes are full.

Bake in 400 degree F oven for 20 minutes. Let cool a bit.

Lemon Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar

2-3 tsp. Meyer lemon juice

Zest from 1 Meyer lemon

Mix sugar, zest and juice until combined, if not spoon-able add a little water. Spoon over top of muffins.

These muffins aren't for those who want a hint of lemon flavor; they are for those of us who want to be smacked in the face with it. Just a warning though, you may be tempted to eat the paper wrappers in order to get all the goodness off it!

See the yummy surprise in there that will be waiting for you if you make these tangy muffins.

44 comments:

Ginathose muffins look amazing, the colour, texture and that blackberry surprise in the center...sighI want one! Well at least two, maybe 3....but definitely no more than 4!Hope the sun shines on you soon!Dennis

Gina,I love lemon, but haven't had Meyer lemons yet. I'll be on the lookout, but may not be able to find them in the Midwest now. Same for the blackberries, but I can buy blackberry jam, and may have to use regular lemons at this time. Thanks for sharing.

Ok, Dennis wants 4, I'd like that many, I'm sure most of the rest are with us, so how many are you shipping east? LOL - those look fantastic!!! I love the dollop of jam in the middle. Have a feeling if you like these you'd love the lemon blueberry ones on my blog. Kate @ kateiscooking

I just adore the combination of lemons and berries. What a wonderful idea to use both blackberry jam and blackberies, I would have never of though of that! Your muffins are just gorgeous and I love the addition of the lemon glaze. Mmm I MUST make these. :)

I've never had lemon and blackberry together, but I just know it's a flavor combination I would absolutely love! And your muffins look incredible. I'm still a sucker for things with a surprise in the middle!

What a lovely little surprise in every muffin :) I'm beginning to miss the sun as well and in Texas that's normally pretty difficult to do! I hope you got the little ray of sunshine you needed with these muffins!

I was in the mood for some blueberry muffins these days and was waiting for the weekend to finally make a batch. Seeing your blackberry muffins I've changed my min, want yours. Love the surprise in the middle. Yummy. Thanks Gina

Hi Gina! These muffins are such a bright treat! I just received a box of meyer lemons from California, and I've been enjoying them immensely. They are so wonderful on a cold winter day. Thank you for sharing another recipe I can use them in! I hope you have a weekend bursting with love!

Gina this is so much of a coincidence. I baked lemon muffins today to help me with my SADs, That is just too funny then I stop by and here are your amazing SAD curing lemon muffins :)I love surprise muffins and think your name is great for them. Thanks for sharing this recipe I am going to try it next time I'm in the mood for lemon muffins or feeling blue.